Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed social media restrictions introduced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. In a recent statement shared on the platform, Durov described the measures as a step toward government censorship and a “total control” over public discourse. He joined a growing chorus of critics, including Elon Musk, who have condemned the proposed legislation that seeks to regulate social media platforms and combat harmful content.
The Spanish Government’s Plan
The Spanish government’s plan, outlined by Prime Minister Sánchez, includes sweeping measures to limit the use of social media for minors under the age of 16 and impose criminal penalties on platform executives found guilty of enabling the spread of hate speech. The proposals aim to tackle what the government sees as an increasing risk of disinformation, harm, and online toxicity. Under the plan, social media companies would be required to gather detailed data about all their users, a move that critics argue would violate privacy rights and give governments unprecedented power over what citizens see online.
One of the central elements of the proposed legislation is the plan to criminalize the use of algorithms that amplify harmful content. According to the Spanish government, such algorithms contribute to the spread of extremist views and misinformation. Durov, who is based in Dubai, sharply criticized this move, arguing that it would incentivize platforms to censor content to avoid prosecution. He warned that these measures would not protect users but would instead enable governments to control what information people can access.
Durov’s Warning Against “Weaponized Safety”
In his message to Telegram users, Durov described Spain’s proposed restrictions as part of a broader trend in which governments use the guise of “safety” to justify censorship. He likened the Spanish government’s approach to previous efforts by authoritarian regimes to silence critics under the pretext of protecting citizens. According to Durov, these aren’t just measures aimed at improving safety—they are tools to consolidate power and restrict freedom of speech.
“These aren’t safeguards; they’re steps toward total control. We’ve seen this playbook before—governments weaponizing ‘safety’ to censor critics,” Durov wrote in his Telegram post. He argued that such policies represent a dangerous trend of increasing government oversight over online platforms and the speech of individuals.
The Spanish Government’s Defense of the Proposal
The Spanish prime minister’s office responded sharply to Durov’s criticism, accusing him of using his influence to spread misleading messages to the Spanish public. The government stated that Durov took advantage of his “unrestricted control” over Telegram to send mass messages to all Spanish users, presenting a biased view of the proposed laws. The Spanish government argued that such actions showed the urgent need for regulation of social media to protect citizens from misinformation and harmful content.
“Spaniards cannot live in a world where foreign tech oligarchs can flood our phones with propaganda at their will simply because the government has announced measures to protect minors and enforce the law,” a statement from the prime minister’s office read. The government’s defense emphasizes the importance of regulating social media to shield citizens from manipulation and exploitation by powerful tech companies.
Sánchez’s Broader Agenda on Social Media and Disinformation
Prime Minister Sánchez’s proposed social media restrictions are part of a broader campaign against the spread of disinformation, which has become a major issue for governments worldwide. The proposal to ban social media access for users under 16 mirrors similar efforts in other countries, including Australia, which became the first nation to introduce such a ban in December 2025. Sánchez has also criticized anonymous accounts on social media, pushing for measures to link user identities to a common EU identity wallet, which could further curb online anonymity.
Sánchez’s campaign against disinformation gained momentum after what he described as a smear campaign against his family, particularly his wife, Begona Gómez, who has been implicated in an ongoing investigation related to allegations of influence peddling. Despite the charges, Gómez has denied any wrongdoing, and the investigation is still ongoing. Sánchez’s government has positioned the disinformation issue as a major priority, seeking to regulate the power of tech giants and prevent them from undermining democratic processes.
International Backlash and Growing Concerns
Durov is not the only high-profile figure to criticize Sánchez’s proposed measures. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also joined the chorus of dissent, describing Sánchez as “a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s comments echo Durov’s concerns about government overreach and the potential stifling of free speech on digital platforms.
Other social media companies, such as Google, TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat, have not yet commented on Spain’s proposed regulations. However, the criticisms from Durov and Musk highlight the growing international tension between government authorities and tech companies over the regulation of online platforms.
In recent years, more countries, including the United Kingdom, Greece, and France, have been considering tougher stances on social media, particularly in regard to the control and spread of disinformation. The European Union’s Digital Services Act, which aims to regulate large tech platforms and increase accountability, has been a step in that direction. Spain’s proposal, however, is one of the most aggressive moves to date, directly targeting platform executives and attempting to impose stricter control over what content is allowed on social media.
Durov’s Background and Influence
Pavel Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, has long been an outspoken critic of government overreach, particularly in relation to digital freedom. In August 2024, he was briefly detained in Paris over allegations related to his role in Telegram’s operations, though he denied any wrongdoing. Durov’s position on the proposed Spanish measures reflects his broader concerns about government attempts to control online communication and information. His comments regarding the Spanish proposal were sent via a channel on Telegram that is typically used for advising users about security and account issues, further indicating his ongoing influence within the platform.
The Debate Over Regulation and Free Speech
As the debate over the regulation of social media intensifies, the Spanish government’s proposed measures stand as a key test case for balancing the need for online safety with the preservation of free expression. While governments argue that regulation is necessary to combat harmful content and disinformation, critics warn that such measures could be used to silence dissent and stifle democratic debate. With major tech figures like Durov and Musk weighing in on the issue, the global conversation about social media regulation is far from over.
